Chilean higher education managers’ information systems acceptance and quality management perceptions

Chilean higher education institutions face pressure to meet quality management (QM) standards and to use educational management information systems (EMIS) for managing the information related to academic activities. This doctoral research addressed the link between the use of EMIS in higher education and the QM processes, on which insufficient research was conducted so far. Against the background of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and within the QM conceptual framework, I aimed to reduce this research gap by exploring the relationship between higher education managers’ EMIS acceptance and QM perceptions, and by identifying specific manager profiles. In Study 1, a systematic review of Chilean literature suggested a close relationship between QM, accountability, and the use of EMIS. However, difficulties in implementation and long-term planning were noted. In Study 2, an instrument to assess perceptions about QM and accreditation was validated. Using this instrument, three different types of managers were identified by a cluster analysis conducted in Study 3: “Elders”, “Mediators”, and “Worker Bees.” These results are in line with previous research, as EMIS usage differs according to a person's position, individual traits, and preferences. Accordingly, a customized training program was recommended, which considered individual needs, staff plans, and the identified manager profiles. As higher education institutions developed plans to invest in more EMIS licenses and implement training, the aforementioned factors may help reduce investment costs. Additionally, the results of this doctoral research lay the ground for designing mass-customized manager training for managers based on their specific profiles and the organization's characteristics.Chilenische Hochschuleinrichtungen stehen unter dem Druck, Qualitätsmanagement (QM)-Standards zu erfüllen und Bildungsmanagement-Informationssysteme (EMIS) zu verwenden, um die auf akademische Aktivitäten bezogenen Informationen zu verwalten. Diese Dissertation setzt am bisher nur unzureichend erforschten Zusammenhang zwischen dem Einsatz von EMIS in der Hochschulbildung und den QM-Prozessen an. Vor dem Hintergrund der Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology und im Rahmen des QM-Konzepts wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen der EMIS-Akzeptanz von Hochschulmanagern und der QM-Wahrnehmung untersucht und spezifische Führungsprofile identifiziert. In Studie 1 deutete ein systematischer Überblick der chilenischen Literatur auf einen engen Zusammenhang zwischen QM, Akkreditierung und der Verwendung von EMIS hin. Allerdings wurden Schwierigkeiten bei der Umsetzung und langfristigen Planung der Qualitätsmaßnahmen festgestellt. Davon ausgehend wurde in Studie 2 ein Instrument zur Erfassung der Wahrnehmung von QM und Akkreditierung validiert. Mit diesem Instrument wurden in Studie 3 drei verschiedene Managertypen mittels Clusteranalyse identifiziert. Darauf aufbauend wurde abschließend das Konzept eines maßgeschneiderten Schulungsprogramms vorgeschlagen, das individuelle Bedürfnisse und Personalpläne berücksichtigt. Da Hochschuleinrichtungen planen in mehr EMIS-Lizenzen und Schulungen zu investieren, können die oben genannten Faktoren dazu beitragen, die Investitionskosten zu senken. Darüber hinaus legen die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit den Grundstein für die Entwicklung massenindividualisierter Schulungsprogramme für Hochschulmanager auf Basis ihres spezifischen Profils und der Charakteristika der Organisation

The cyclical behaviour of residential investment : some stylised facts

Artículo de revist

Does housing really lead the business cycle?

The aim of this paper is to characterize the cyclical properties of Spanish real and nominal housing related variables. Our three main results are: First, housing appears to lead the business cycle. Second, fluctuation in home prices are positively related to those of residential investment, suggesting the dominant role of demand factors over supply ones. Third,there are interesting asymmetries in cyclical fluctuations: contractions in GDP appear to be briefer than expansion

Effect of posterior gingival smile on the perception of smile esthetics

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the influence of posterior gummy smile on the perception of smile esthetics by orthodontists, general-dentists and laypersons. Study Design: A frontal photograph of a smile with normal gum exposure was chosen and manipulated digitally using Adobe Photoshop C3 to generate three further images with posterior gum exposure of 4, 6 and 8mm. These four images were assessed by the three evaluator groups: orthodontists (n=40), general-dentists (n=40) and laypersons (n=40). Both orthodontists and dentists had at least ten years professional experience and laypersons were aged between 40-50 years. The proportion of men to women was 20:20 in each group. Evaluators awarded a score to the smile esthetics of each image: 1=acceptable, 2=moderately acceptable, 3=unacceptable. Afterwards, each evaluator placed the four images in order of esthetic preference. Results: No significant differences (p>0.05) were detected between the three evaluator groups for the photo without posterior gummy smile. The perception of smile esthetics for a the 4mm posterior gummy smile (median for orthodontists=2, general-dentists= 1, laypersons=1), the 6mm (median for orthodontists=2, general-dentists=1, laypersons=1) and the 8mm (median for orthodontists=3, general-dentists=2, laypersons=2) was significantly different between orthodontists and the other two evaluator groups (p<0.0017). The three evaluator groups coincided in placing the image with the 6mm gum exposure in first place in order of esthetic preference. Conclusions: Posterior gummy smile influences the perception of smile esthetics more negatively among orthodontists than the rest of the groups

Desarrollo de un método analítico por CG con columna capilar para la determinación de alcoholes de alto peso molecular en extractos de cera de caña

En los últimos años, se ha incrementado la utilización de alcoholes alifáticos de alto peso molecular, extra ídos de determinadas ceras vegetales y animales, como suplementos nutricionales o medicamentos.1-3 Diversas metodologías analíticas por cromatografía gaseosa (CG) con columnas de relleno se han validado para la determinación de estos alcoholes, tanto en el material insaponficable de las ceras como en sus extractos purificados. 4-8 Sin embargo, a pesar de los buenos resultados logrados con esas columnas, en el mundo actual se ha impuesto el empleo de las capilares, lo cual se ha debido a que presentan varias ventajas, entre las que se pueden citar: mayor resoluci ón, inercia, estabilidad química y térmica, flexibilidad y facilidad de instalación. También se ha encontrado que tienen una vida más prolongada, mayor reproducibilidad lote a lote y mayor sensibilidad en el aná- lisis de compuestos minoritarios en mezclas complejas.9,10 Teniendo en cuenta lo anteriormente expuesto, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue desarrollar un método confiable para la determinación de alcoholes grasos en extractos de cera de caña, mediante la CG con columna capilar widebore e inyección rápida con la técnica de solvent-flush

A procedure for short-term GDP forecasting

Artículo de revist

Actividad física de la población infantil en un evento de promoción de la actividad física y percepción de sus progenitores

Trata sobre el análisis de un evento de promoción de la actividad física de la población infantil de Zaragoza. en el cual se miden distintas variables relacionadas de la actividad física y aspectos de promoción de la AF tanto de la población infantil como de sus progenitores

Intermittent chaos for ergodic light trapping in a photonic fiber plate

Extracting the light trapped in a waveguide, or the opposite effect of trapping light in a thin region and guiding it perpendicular to its incident propagation direction, is essential for optimal energetic performance in illumination, display or light harvesting devices. Here we demonstrate that the paradoxical goal of letting as much light in or out while maintaining the wave effectively trapped can be achieved with a periodic array of interpenetrated fibers forming a photonic fiber plate. Photons entering perpendicular to that plate may be trapped in an intermittent chaotic trajectory, leading to an optically ergodic system. We fabricated such a photonic fiber plate and showed that for a solar cell incorporated on one of the plate surfaces, light absorption is greatly enhanced. Confirming this, we found the unexpected result that a more chaotic photon trajectory reduces the production of photon scattering entropy.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Procedimientos para planificar la preparación de la fuerza en luchadores juveniles

The study guides Villa Clara\u27s Olympic Wrestling coaches on planning the preparation of muscle strength for freestyle youth wrestlers. The strategic nature of this sport in Cuba for its results obtained international events, make the Provincial Commission of Villa Clara prioritize their attention in the planning of their training, as one of the functions of the management for the different competitive levels, is verified through observations, surveys and interviews, the approach to the planning of muscle strength as a complement to training, considering the changes in the International Regulation.El estudio orienta a los entrenadores villaclareños de Lucha Olímpica sobre planificación de la preparación de la fuerza muscular para los luchadores juveniles del estilo libre. El carácter estratégico de este deporte en Cuba por sus resultados obtenidos eventos internacionales, hacen que la Comisión Provincial de Villa Clara priorice su&nbsp; atención en la planificación de su entrenamiento, como una de las funciones de la dirección para los diferentes niveles competitivos, es constatado a través de observaciones, encuestas y entrevistas, el abordaje de la planificación de la fuerza muscular como complemento del entrenamiento, considerando los cambios del Reglamento Internacional